My radiator is leaking from a weird spot directly below the radiator cap. It looks like a plastic plug and points toward the engine. What is this part? Is it something I can replace?
I already replaced the radiator cap itself after I noticed the leak; I thought it was the culprit. When it didn't help, I investigated further and found this weird plug.
Yes. If I am standing in front of my jeep, the hose connects on the left of the filler neck, and the "plug" I am talking about is behind the filler neck, pointing toward the engine. It's not the hose that's leaking.
Ihad the same problem on a replacement radiator, I sanded the front of the air cleaner box so it didnt have a chance of touching it when it vibrates when your driving and low and behold the problem went away
RTV won't hold up to the pressure. Remove the air box. Remove enough coolant so that the plug is dry. Clean the plug area with a tooth brush and lots of cleaner/degreaser. Let dry and then spray on lots of throttle body cleaner. Let that dry and them mix and apply JB Weld epoxy. Mix the JB Weld according to the instructions and then let it sit for 10-20 minutes so it firms up a bit, then apply lots to fill the plug area and round the outside also. You might want to apply a second coat of JB after the first is dry.
I had this same issue on a replacement radiator for my 96XJ. I simply took the plug out and wrapped the threads with pipe thread tape (plumbers use this on pipe). Put it back in and never had an issue after that.
Thanks for everyones help - I took the plug out and wrapped the threads in plumbers tape, then sealed it in with some JB Weld. Hopefully that will hold it.
I know this is an old thread and hope I can get some insight here. It appears my XJ's rad is leaking from the plug as well. Could this cause overheating issues? For example lets say one would top off there car daily (just a hypothetical) and cruise around town would the lack of pressure here (plug) cause your engine temp to rise? What other issues if any could this lack of pressure if any cause? I suspect this is my case, but would like some feedback. Thanks, and hope I get a reply....
YEs, inability to hold pressure means you lower the boiling point of the coolant. If the coolant gets close to boiling, and begins to do so, the cooling effectiveness drops dramatically.
Great! So maybe that's why my temp is ok for the first few hour or so then it begins to climb. By any chance would anyone happen to know the size of the plug? My plug is an allen head type size, but it's quite large. I'm unsure what size is needed to remove and correct the issue. I know it's a long shot, but I thought I'd try....
It's either ultrasonically welded into the neck of the tank, or it is solvent welded. In either case, I seriously doubt you will get it out without destroying something in the process.
Its a 14 mm allan wrench which I got @AutoZone!Like beforehand mentioned just take it off and use pipethesd tape or sealant and snug back up!Everthings good so far!
Thank you for the suggestion. I wondered about that myself. I was having an issue posting the video from my phone. Here's a link to see the leak in action. https://photos.app.goo.gl/isRp2cpUPkNJwqLz7
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